The Brazilian talent ruled himself out of contention for the prestigious award and stated that the Blaugrana ace deserves to win the accolade for the fourth time in a row to clinch the individual accolade after inspiring the Blaugrana to win four titles in 2011-12 with 73 goals in all competitions.

Neymar has often earned comparisons with Messi, but the 20-year-old dismissed the notion that he is contention for the accolade, insists that he expects the Barca ace to win the honour.

"Me? No, the Ballon d'Or is for Messi, who is the best in the world, there is no one like him," Neymar told Mundo Deportivo.

"He will win it, he is the greatest. He comes up with new things after every match. Yes, yes, another Ballon d'Or for Messi. That is what there is. We all know it."

Messi, who is Barca's all-time leading goalscorer, equalled Michel Platini in January in winning the Ballon d'Or for three years running.